Outdoor Umbrella with Built-In Electro Control Panel

ABSTRACT

An outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances includes a supporting frame, an awning frame, and an electro-control panel. The awning frame includes a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supported by the supporting frame for supporting the electrical appliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub, and an awning supported by the awning arms to define a shading area under the awning. The electro-control panel includes a control circuitry and a control device. The control circuitry has an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals for selectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively. The control device is electrically connected to the control circuitry for selectively controlling each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application having anapplication Ser. No. 12/798,411 and a filing date of Apr. 2, 2010, whichis a Continuation-In-Part application that claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application having anapplication Ser. No. 11/514,817 and a filing date of Sep. 1, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly toan outdoor umbrella with built-in electro-control panel which is capableof controlling at least one electrical appliance provided on the outdoorumbrella in an on-off manner.

2. Description of Related Arts

A conventional outdoor umbrella usually comprises a supporting frame, anawing frame movably supported on the supporting frame, and an awningfabric supported on the awning frame for proving shading in a shadingarea under the awing fabric. Conventionally, the outdoor umbrella isusually foldable so that when it is not in use, the outdoor umbrella canbe folded into a compact size for convenient transport and storage.

People usually use the conventional outdoor umbrella for a wide varietyof outdoor activities. For example, people may use the outdoor umbrelladuring camping for providing some sort of shielding from sunlight. Veryoften, when people are using the outdoor umbrella in outdoorenvironment, they need something more, apart from shading, to accomplishtheir intended activities. For instances, they require light duringnight time and they may need fans when the weather is too hot. As aresult, they may bring their own light and fans to the intendedactivities and this may create great trouble to them.

Therefore, this is the main disadvantage to conventional outdoorumbrella in that a typical outdoor activity usually requires a widerange of electrical appliances, such as lighting devices, audio devices,or ventilating devices for providing extra support to the activitiesbeing held. Thus, users of the conventional outdoor umbrella usuallyneed to bring their own electrical appliances and plan in advance as tohow to securely locate those electrical appliances. For example, theyhave to plan in advance as to how to mount lighting devices onto theoutdoor umbrella. They also have to consider how to get power to lightup all the electrical appliances.

As a matter of fact, there exist some outdoor umbrellas which comprisesome sorts of built-in electrical appliances such as lighting devices.However due to power availability, mounting limitation and ease ofcontrol, there are currently very few, if not no, comprehensive outdoorumbrella which is capable of providing electrical appliances other thanlighting devices. In worse situations, one may need to prepare a lot ofbatteries for powering up all of the electrical appliances.

Another problem, however, may exist. Since the outdoors umbrellas haveto support many electrical appliances with proper electrical connection,it becomes more difficult for the usual folding or unfolding mechanismsto operate. In short, the electrical appliances may actually affect theoperation of the outdoor umbrellas so as to defeat the very purpose ofhaving those outdoor umbrellas.

Furthermore, even if one incorporates a wide variety of electricalappliances onto the outdoor umbrella, and manages to acquire thenecessary power, one may face control problem for these electricalappliances, in that different electrical appliances may requiredifferent control switches and electrical connections. As a result, theuser of the present may feel that it is difficult and inconvenient tocomprehensively control all the electrical appliances of the outdoorumbrella.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrellawith a built-in electro-control panel, wherein a control panel of theelectro-control panel is affixed at the awning frame, so as to minimizethe distance between the control panel and each of the electricalappliances.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorumbrella with a built-in electro-control panel, wherein no pre-wiring ofan extending cable hidden within a hollow supporting frame is requiredfor electrically connecting the control panel to each of the electricalappliances, so as to simplify the wire connecting arrangementtherebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorumbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel, which iscapable of providing one-stop comprehensive control to a wide variety ofelectrical appliances installed onto the outdoor umbrella in an on-offmanner, so as to minimize the hassle of separately controlling theelectrical appliances by different controllers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorumbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel, which iscapable of optimally coordinating a plurality of electrical applianceson the outdoor umbrella so as to optimally and comprehensivelycontrolling the operation thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorumbrella comprising a built-in electro-control panel, which is capableof fitting into a wide variety of outdoor umbrella adopting differentsources of electrical power.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorumbrella which comprises a built-in electro-control panel which does notaffect the normal operation of the outdoor umbrella so as to facilitatea widespread application of the present invention.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the presentinvention provides an outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances,comprising:

a supporting frame, which comprises a supporting shaft having an upperportion;

an awning frame, which comprises a functional umbrella hub suspendedlysupported by the supporting frame for supporting the electricalappliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially andoutwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub, and an awningsupported by the awning arms to define a shading area under the awning,wherein the upper portion of the supporting frame is coupled with theawning frame; and

a control panel of the electro-control panel, which is supported at theawning frame that the control panel is located at a position adjacent tothe electrical appliances, comprising:

a control circuitry having an input terminal adapted for electricallyconnecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals forselectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively; and

a control device electrically connecting to the control circuitry forselectively and adjustably controlling each of the electricalappliances.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor umbrella according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor umbrella according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation arrangement accordingto the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control panel according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a slight alternative of the control panel according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the functional umbrella hub accordingto the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electro-control panel according tothe above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are schematic diagrams of different combinations ofelectrical appliances according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an alternative form of the supporting frame of the outdoorumbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are schematic diagrams of the outdoor umbrellaaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,illustrating that the control panel can be mounted on differentposition.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an outdoor umbrella according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor umbrella according to theabove second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional side view of the functional umbrella hubaccording to the above second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the outdoor umbrella according to theabove second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustratingthe electro-control panel electrically connecting to each of theelectrical appliances.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are schematic diagrams of different combinations ofelectrical appliances incorporating with alternative functional umbrellahub according to the above embodiment preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the drawings, anoutdoor umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, in which the outdoor umbrella comprises asupporting frame 10, an awning frame 20, a ventilation arrangement 30,and a connector head 60.

The awning frame 20 comprises a functional umbrella hub 21 suspendedlysupported by the supporting frame 10, a plurality of awning arms 22radially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub 21, andan awning 23 supported by the awning arms 22 to define a shading areaunder the awning 23.

The functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises a functional appliancefor electrically connecting with the connector head 60, wherein thefunctional appliance comprises is embodied as a wide range of electricalappliances adapted for being installed onto the outdoor umbrella, suchas the ventilation arrangement 30.

The ventilation arrangement 30 comprises a ventilation power unit 31supporting at the functional hub 21, a driving rotor 32 rotatably andcoaxially mounted at an outer wall of the functional umbrella hub 21 toelectrically couple with the ventilation power unit 31, and a pluralityof fan blades 33.

The plurality of fan blades 33 is spacedly mounted to the driving rotor32 such that when the driving rotor 32 is driven to rotate, the fanblades 33 are swinging for creating airflow under the awning arms 12within the shading area, so as to provide a ventilating effect as anadditional function for the outdoor umbrella.

According to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,the umbrella frame 10 comprises a hollow supporting shaft 11 adapted forsecurely standing on a ground surface for suspendedly supporting theawning frame 20 and the ventilation arrangement 30. On the other hand,the awning frame 20 further comprises an upper housing 24 suspendedlysupported by the hollow supporting shaft 11, in which the awning frame20 is radially extended from the upper housing 24 for moving between afolded position and an unfolded position. When the awning frame 20 is inthe folded position, the awning frame is pivotally folded towards eachother to form a compact structure of the outdoor umbrella, and when theawning frame 20 is in the unfolded position, the awning frame 20 isradially, outwardly and pivotally extended to shade sunlight in theshading area defined by the awning 23.

Moreover, the awning frame 20 further comprises a plurality of awningsupporting member 25 each of which is movably extended from thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to the respective awning arms 22 for movablysupporting the awning frame 20 to move between the folded position andthe unfolded position.

In order to control an operation of the ventilation arrangement 30, theoutdoor umbrella further comprises a control panel 40 supported at thesupporting frame 10 to electrically control the ventilation arrangement30, wherein the control panel 40 comprises a control switch 41operatively connected to the ventilation power unit 31 to adjustablycontrol the operation parameters, such as rotational speed, of thedriving rotor 32 so as to control the operation of the driving rotor 32for generating an optimal airflow of the outdoor umbrella.

Thus, the hollow supporting shaft 11 of the supporting frame 10 has anupper portion 111 coupling with the awning frame 20, wherein theventilation arrangement 30 further comprises an extending cable 34electrically extending from the control panel 40 to the ventilationpower unit 31 through the supporting shaft 11 so as to conceal theextending cable 34 in a hidden manner. As a result, the extending cable34 is physically protected and aesthetically hidden by the hollowsupporting shaft 11 so as to maintain the maximum lift span and optimalaesthetic appearance of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 of the drawings, each of the fan blades 33is made of soft fabric material so that when the driving rotor 32 is inan idle position, the fan blades are suspended at the functionalumbrella hub 21, and when the driving rotor 32 is in an operativerotating position, the fan blades 31 are swinging by means ofcentrifugation force for creating the ventilating effect in the shadingarea. Thus, one may appreciate that since the fan blades 33 are made ofsoft fabric materials, they do not interfere with the normal operationof the outdoor umbrella because their shape is changeable for fittingthe folding and unfolding operation of the outdoor umbrella.

In order to effectively and efficiently create adequate degree ofairflow within the shading area, the driving rotor 32 further comprisesa plurality of angled blade hinges 321 securely attaching inner ends ofthe fan blades 33 respectively at a predetermined angle, such that whenthe driving rotor 32 is driven to rotate, the fan blades 33 areinclinedly swinging with respect to the driving rotor 32 so as to createan effective and efficient airflow within the shading area.

The ventilation power unit 31 comprises a ring-shaped induction coil 311supported in the functional umbrella hub 21 to coaxially align with thedriving rotor 32 so as to drive the driving rotor 32 to rotate byinduction.

The control panel 40 further comprises a temperature sensor 42 supportedby the supporting frame 10 for detecting an ambient temperature and asensor circuit 43 which is electrically communicating with thetemperature sensor 42 and is arranged in such a manner that when theambient temperature is higher than a user-preset temperature, the sensorcircuit 43 automatically activates the ventilation power unit 31 todrive the driving rotor 32 to rotate to create the airflow in theshading area. In other words, the ventilation arrangement 30 can eitherbe activated manually through the control panel 40, or by ambienttemperature rising above a predetermined threshold. In the latter case,the ventilation arrangement 30 is activated automatically by the sensorcircuit 43.

Furthermore, the control panel 40 further comprises a circuittransformer 44 electrically connecting with the ventilation arrangement30 for transforming an AC power from an external power source to a DCpower for the ventilation power unit 31. Thus, the ventilationarrangement 30 is adapted for being powered up by an external powersource for prolonged use of the ventilation system. Alternatively, theventilation arrangement 30 can also be powered by rechargeable batteriesfor shorter usage duration.

As a further alternative, the outdoor umbrella can further comprise asolar energy power system 100 which comprises a solar energy collectionboard 110 and a solar energy conversion circuit 120 mounted on thesupporting frame 10. The solar energy collection board 110 is adapted tocollect solar energy from sunlight, wherein the sunlight will betransformed to electric energy by the solar energy conversion circuit120 for providing adequate power to operate the electrical appliancesinstalled on the outdoor umbrella. The transformed energy is to bestored by a rechargeable battery 130 electrically connected with thesolar energy conversion circuit 120.

In order to securely mount the ventilation arrangement 30 onto thesupporting frame 10 and the awning frame 20, the functional umbrella hub21 of the awning frame 20 has an upper portion 211 coupling with theawning arms 22 via the awning supporting members 25, a lower portion 212receiving the ventilation power unit 31 therein, and a rotor seat 213provided at an outer wall of the lower portion 212 to retain the drivingrotor 32 in a rotatably movable manner.

Apart from the ventilation system, the outdoor umbrella according to thepreferred embodiment is meant to accommodate a wide range of otherelectrical appliances so as to provide a wide range of accessoryfunctions to outdoor activities.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefunctional umbrella hub 21 further has a speaker compartment 214 and atleast one audio outlet 215, whereas the outdoor umbrella furthercomprises an audio system 50, as a built-in sound system, comprising aspeaker unit 51 supported within the speaker compartment 214 of thefunctional umbrella hub 21 to align with the audio outlet 215, whereinwhen the audio signal is input at the control panel 40 via the audiooutlet, the audio signal is transmitted to the speaker unit 51 forgenerating an audio sound as an additional function for the outdoorumbrella, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

The control panel 40 further comprises an auxiliary input 45 forcommunicatively connecting to a portable music player 90 to receive theaudio signal therefrom, such that the control panel 40 transmits theaudio signal to the speaker unit 51 for music broadcasting. The audiosystem 50 of the present invention is adapted to play music originatedfrom a wide variety of conventional portable music players 90, such asCD players, DVD players, MP3 and the like for providing the maximumnumber of audio options for the user of the present invention.

The audio system 50 further comprises a sealing holder 52 mounted at thesupporting frame 10 at a position adjacent to the control panel 40 forholding the portable music player 90 in the sealing holder 52 in awaterproof enclosing manner. Thus, the portable music player 90 issubstantially protected from adverse environment factors and weathercondition.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, in order to further enhance thesource by which audio sound signal can be acquired, the control panel 40further comprises a radio broadcasting circuit 46 for receiving radiowave as the audio signal, such that the control panel 40 transmits theaudio signal to the speaker unit 51 for radio broadcasting. As such, theaudio system 50 is also capable of processing radio signal fordelivering radio sound signal as the audio signal as mentioned above.

The audio system 50 further comprises an audio transmitting cable 53extending from the control panel 40 to the speaker 51 through the hollowsupporting shaft 11 so as to transmit the audio signal from the controlpanel 40 to the speaker unit 51 via the audio transmitting cable 53securely received in the hollow supporting shaft 11.

Alternatively, the audio system 50 further comprises a wirelesstransmission link 54 for wirelessly transmitting the audio signal fromthe control panel 40 to the speaker unit 51, wherein the wirelesstransmission link 54 comprises a wireless transmitter 541 integratedwith the control panel 40 and a wireless receiver 542 which isintegrated with the speaker unit 51 and is wirelessly communicating withthe wireless transmitter 541 to wirelessly transmit the audio signalfrom the control panel 40 to the speaker unit 51. In this situation, theaudio transmitting cable 53 may not be necessary, yet it can still beused in conjunction with the wireless transmission link 54 to cater fordifferent needs.

Accordingly, the control panel 40 further comprises a control circuitry47 operatively connecting to the speaker unit 51 of the audio system 50to selectively operate and control the speaker unit 51, and a displayscreen 48 electrically connected to the control circuitry 47 fordisplaying an operation status thereof. As a result, the user is able toconveniently monitor the operation of the audio system 50 in a singledisplay device, i.e. the display screen 48.

The speaker unit 51 comprises a plurality of speakers radially supportedwithin the speaker compartment 214 of the awning frame 20 for creating astereo surround sound effect when the audio signal is transmitted to thespeaker unit 51.

In order to enhance the sound quality delivered by the audio system, thefunctional umbrella hub 21 further has a resonance chamber 2141 formedat the speaker compartment 214, wherein the speaker unit 51 furthercomprises a subwoofer speaker 511 supported at the resonance chamber2141 for generating special sound quality of the audio sound output fromthe speaker unit 51, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

The functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises a hub body 216 having aplurality of hinges 2161 for respectively coupling with the awning arms22 in a radially extending manner preferably via the awning supportingarms 25, and an interior cavity 2162 for the connector head 60 disposingtherein.

More specifically, the functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises afunctional hub 217, which is downwardly extended from the hub body 216to communicate with the interior cavity 2162 thereof, having the speakercompartment 214 and the audio outlet 215, wherein the functionalappliance is built-in with the functional hub 217 that the speaker issecurely supported within the speaker compartment 214 at the audiooutlet 215 such that the functional umbrella hub 21 is adapted for notonly operatively incorporating with the outdoor umbrella via the hubbody 216 but also providing the additional function for the outdoorumbrella via the functional hub 217 to enhance a practical use thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the functional appliance furthercomprises a light arrangement 70 provided at a bottom side of thefunctional hub 217 for electrically connecting with the connector head60 so as to generate a light illumination as another additional functionfor the outdoor umbrella. More specifically, the light arrangement 70comprises a ring-shaped light housing 71, having a connector inlet 711for electrically connecting to the connector head 60, mounted to thebottom side of the functional hub 217, and a plurality of illuminationelements 72 spacedly and coaxially mounted at the light housing 71 forilluminating an area under the awning arms 22, i.e. the shading area.Note that the illumination elements 72 are a plurality of LEDselectrically and spacedly mounted at the light housing 71.

The functional hub 217 is integrally extended from the hub body 216 toform a one-piece integral hub for allowing the connector head 60extending into the functional hub 217 from the interior cavity 2162 ofthe hub body 216.

The functional umbrella hub 21 further comprises a mounting unit 218 fordetachably mounting the functional hub 217 under the hub body 216,wherein the mounting unit 218 comprises a retaining panel 2181integrally formed at the bottom side of the hub body 216, and at least afastening element 2182 detachably fastening the functional hub 217 atthe retaining panel 2181 to detachably mount the functional hub 217 tothe hub body 216.

The light arrangement 70 may also comprise a ring-shaped light tube 73mounted at the light housing 71 for illuminating an area under theawning arms 22. Thus, the light tube is capable of providing uniformline of light source for the shading area, a shown in FIG. 8C of thedrawings.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the control panel 40 is preferablyembodied as an electro-control panel which is electrically controlledand operated for providing optimal control to the electrical appliancesof the outdoor umbrella.

More specifically, the control panel 40 comprises the control circuitry47 having an input terminal 471 adapted for electrically connecting to apower source, and a plurality of control terminals 472 for selectivelyconnecting to the electrical appliances respectively. The control panel40 further comprises a control device 49 electrically connecting to thecontrol circuitry 47 for selectively controlling each of the electricalappliances in an on-and-off manner.

In order to connect with the functional umbrella hub 21, the controlpanel 40 as the electro-control panel further comprises a plurality ofextending cables 401 electrically extending from the control terminals472 respectively to the awning frame 20 through the hollow supportingshaft 11 in a pre-wiring manner.

Each of the extending cables 401 has the connector head 60 extended tothe functional umbrella hub 21 through the hollow supporting shaft 11for electrically connecting the corresponding electric appliance suchthat the outdoor umbrella is adapted for incorporating with the electricappliances as add on electric appliances, such as the ventilationarrangement 30, to provide additional functions of the outdoor umbrellawhen the corresponding electric appliance is mounted at the functionalumbrella hub 21 and is electrically connected to the connector head 60.

Moreover, the electro-control panel further comprises a panel housing402 built-in with the supporting frame 10 that the panel housing 402 isprovided at a peripheral wall of the supporting frame 10 to protectivelyreceive the control circuitry 47 in the panel housing 402. Thus, theuser is able to control the electrical appliances by simply operatingthe control panel 40 at the panel housing 402.

It is worth mentioning that the panel housing 402 can be installed onthe hollow supporting shaft 11 in different manner. For example, asshown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the panel housing 402 can be installedat an outer peripheral surface of the hollow supporting shaft 11.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the panel housing 402can be mounted at an outer corner portion of the hollow supporting shaft11.

The control device 49 comprises the plurality of control switches 41which are spacedly provided on the panel housing 402 and areelectrically connected to the control terminals 472 of the controlcircuitry 47 respectively for manually controlling the correspondingelectrical appliances in an on-and-off manner. Moreover, the displayscreen 48 is provided on the panel housing 402 and is electricallyconnected to the control circuitry 47 for displaying an operation statusof each of the electrical appliances.

The control panel 40 as the electro-control panel further comprises anelectric socket 403 which is provided on the supporting frame 10 and iselectrically connected to the input terminal 471 for electricallyconnecting to a power source, such as an AC power source.

Accordingly, the circuit transformer 44 electrically connects theelectric socket 403 with the input terminal 471 of the control circuitry47 for transforming an AC power from the external AC power source to aDC power so as to supply a predetermined amount of electricity to theelectric appliances.

The control circuitry 47 comprises the integrated radio broadcastingcircuit 46 and the auxiliary input 45 for communicatively connecting toa portable music player 90, such that the control circuitry 47 providesan added audio function for incorporating with the electric appliances.

The control device 49 further comprises a wireless link circuitry 491integrated with the control circuitry 47, and a remote control 492wirelessly communicating to the wireless link circuitry 491 to controlthe control circuitry 47 for remotely controlling the electricappliances in a wireless manner.

It is worth mentioning that the outdoor umbrella may form differentembodiments with different combinations of electrical appliances.Referring to FIG. 8A of the drawings, the outdoor umbrella comprises theaudio system 50, the light arrangement 70, but not the ventilationarrangement. Referring to FIG. 8B of the drawings, only the lightarrangement 70 has been installed, and in FIG. 8C of the drawings, onemay appreciate that the illumination elements 72 are embodied as thering-shape light tube 73.

FIG. 9 illustrates a slight alternative of the outdoor umbrella in whichawning frame 20 is movably coupled directly at the upper portion 111 ofthe hollow supporting shaft 11 for folding and unfolding, wherein theelectrical appliances are mounted at the function umbrella hub 21 forperforming the corresponding functions.

Referring to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B of the drawings, the control panel 40can also be mounted at an upper portion of the hollow supporting shaft11 for controlling the different electrical appliances.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 14 of the drawings, an outdoor umbrellaaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated, in which the outdoor umbrella comprises a supporting frame10A, an awning frame 20A, one or more electrical appliances integrallyformed at the outdoor umbrella, and an electro-control panel 40Aelectrically connected to each of the electric appliances foroperatively controlling the electric appliances and a power source forsupplying the electrical energy thereto.

The awning frame 20A comprises a functional umbrella hub 21A suspendedlysupported by the supporting frame 10A, a plurality of awning arms 22Aradially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub 21A,and an awning 23A supported by the awning arms 22A to define a shadingarea under the awning 23A.

According to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,the supporting frame 10A comprises a hollow supporting shaft 11A adaptedfor securely standing on a ground surface for suspendedly supporting theawning frame 20A and the ventilation arrangement 30A of the electricalappliance thereat. On the other hand, the awning frame 20A furthercomprises an upper housing 24A suspendedly supported by the hollowsupporting shaft 11A, in which the awning frame 20A is radially extendedfrom the upper housing 24A for moving between a folded position and anunfolded position. When the awning frame 20A is at the folded position,the awning arms 22A is pivotally folded towards each other to form acompact structure of the outdoor umbrella, and when the awning frame 20Ais at the unfolded position, the awning arms 22A is radially, outwardlyand pivotally extended to form the shading area under the awning 23A, soas for blocking the sunlight, rains, or the like. Accordingly, thehollow supporting shaft 11A of the supporting frame 10A further has anupper portion 111A for coupling with the awning frame 20A.

Moreover, the awning frame 20A further comprises a plurality of awningsupporting member 25A each of which is movably extended from thefunctional umbrella hub 21A to the respective awning arms 22A formovably supporting the awning frame 20A to move between the foldedposition and the unfolded position.

Accordingly, the electrical appliances preferably comprise a ventilationarrangement 30A, au audio system 50A, and/or a light arrangement 70A,which may have similar structure as above first preferred embodiment.Therefore, the outdoor umbrella may only comprise one of the aboveelectrical appliances, any two of the above electrical appliances, orall of the above electrical appliances at the same time. Otherelectrical appliances may be further provided for enhancing thefunctionality of the outdoor umbrella. For instances, a clock or anelectrical heater of the electrical appliances may also be integrallyformed at the outdoor umbrella as the add-on functional devices thereof.

As mentioned above, the ventilation arrangement 30A comprises aventilation power unit 31A supporting at the functional umbrella hub21A, a driving rotor 32A rotatably and coaxially mounted at an outerwall of the functional umbrella hub 21A to electrically couple with theventilation power unit 31A, and a plurality of fan blades 33A.

The plurality of fan blades 33A is spacedly mounted to the driving rotor32A such that when the driving rotor 32A is driven to rotate, the fanblades 33A are swinging for creating airflow under the awning arms 12Awithin the shading area, so as to provide a ventilating effect as anadditional function for the outdoor umbrella. Therefore, the ventilationarrangement 30A is connected to the control panel 40A via connecting thepower unit 31A with a control device 49A of the control panel 40A, sothat the fan blades 33A being driven by the driving rotor 32A is able tobe controllably operated via the control device 49A of the control panel40A.

It is appreciated that the power unit 31A electrically connected to thecontrol module 49A is able to adjustably control the operationparameters, such as a rotational speed of the driving rotor 32A, via thecontrol module 49A of the control panel 40A, so as to control theoperation of the driving rotor 32A for generating an optimal airflow ofthe outdoor umbrella.

Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, each of the fan blades 33A is madeof soft fabric material so that when the driving rotor 32A is in an idleposition, the fan blades are suspended at the functional umbrella hub21A, and when the driving rotor 32A is in an operative rotatingposition, the fan blades 31A are swinging by means of centrifugationforce for creating the ventilating effect in the shading area. Thus, onemay appreciate that since the fan blades 33A are made of soft fabricmaterials, they do not interfere with the normal operation of theoutdoor umbrella because their shape is changeable for fitting thefolding and unfolding operation of the outdoor umbrella.

In order to effectively and efficiently create adequate degree ofairflow within the shading area, the driving rotor 32A further comprisesa plurality of angled blade hinges 321A securely attaching inner ends ofthe fan blades 33A respectively at a predetermined angle, such that whenthe driving rotor 32A is driven to rotate, the fan blades 33A areinclinedly swinging with respect to the driving rotor 32A so as tocreate an effective and efficient airflow within the shading area.

The ventilation power unit 31A comprises a ring-shaped induction coil311A supported in the functional umbrella hub 21A to coaxially alignwith the driving rotor 32A so as to drive the driving rotor 32A torotate by induction.

In order to securely mount the ventilation arrangement 30A onto thesupporting frame 10 and the awning frame 20A, the functional umbrellahub 21A of the awning frame 20 has an upper portion 211A coupling withthe awning arms 22A via the awning supporting members 25A, a lowerportion 212A receiving the ventilation power unit 31A therein, and arotor seat 213A provided at an outer wall of the lower portion 212A toretain the driving rotor 32A in a rotatably movable manner.

Apart from the ventilation system, the outdoor umbrella according to thepreferred embodiment is meant to accommodate a wide range of otherelectrical appliances so as to provide a wide range of accessoryfunctions to outdoor activities.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theaudio system 50A is preferably provided at the location within oradjacent to the functional umbrella hub 21A, wherein the audio system50A preferably comprises a speaker unit 51A comprising one or morespeakers. Therefore, the functional umbrella hub 21A further has aspeaker compartment 214A and at least one audio outlet 215A, wherein thespeaker unit 51A is supported within the speaker compartment 214A of thefunctional umbrella hub 21A to align with the audio outlet 215A, as abuilt-in sound system of the outdoor umbrella.

The audio system 50A further comprises an audio signal input module 511Afor wirely or wirelessly receiving an audio signal, such as radio,portable music player, or the likes, and an audio signal output module512A electrically linking to the speaker unit 51A for generating a soundeffect in responsive to the audio signal. More specifically, the audiosignal input module 511A is able to be built-in with the control panel40A and electrically connected to audio signal output module 512A fortransmitting the audio signal to the speaker unit 51A, so as to generatethe sound effect as another add-on function or add-on electricalappliance of the outdoor umbrella.

A connector head 60A may be further provided at a position with thefunctional umbrella hub 21 for electrically connecting the control panel40A with each of the electrical appliances respectively. The umbrellahub may further has a functional hub 217A integrally extended from a hubbody 216A of the functional umbrella hub 21A to form a one-pieceintegral hub for allowing the connector head 60A extending into thefunctional hub 217A from the interior cavity 2162A of the hub body 216A.

Moreover, the speaker unit 51A preferably comprises a plurality ofspeakers radially supported within the speaker compartment 214A of theawning frame 20A for creating a stereo surround sound effect when theaudio signal is transmitted to the speaker unit 51A.

In order to enhance the sound quality delivered by the audio system, thefunctional umbrella hub 21A further has a resonance chamber 2141A formedat the speaker compartment 214A, wherein the speaker unit 51A furthercomprises a subwoofer speaker 511A supported at the resonance chamber2141A for generating special sound quality of the audio sound outputfrom the speaker unit 51A, as shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings.

The functional umbrella hub 21A further comprises a hub body 216A havinga plurality of hinges 2161A for respectively coupling with the awningarms 22A in a radially extending manner preferably via the awningsupporting arms 25A, and an interior cavity 2162A for the connector head60A disposing therein.

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lightarrangement 70A may further provided as another add-on electricalappliance of the outdoor umbrella, wherein the light arrangement 70A ispreferably provided at a bottom side of the functional hub 217A forelectrically connecting with the connector head 60A so as to generate alight illumination as another additional function for the outdoorumbrella. More specifically, the light arrangement 70A comprises aring-shaped light housing 71A, having a connector inlet 711A forelectrically connecting to the connector head 60A, mounted to the bottomside of the functional hub 217A, and a plurality of illuminationelements 72A spacedly and coaxially mounted at the light housing 71A forilluminating an area under the awning arms 22A, i.e. the shading area.Note that the illumination elements 72A are a plurality of LEDselectrically and spacedly mounted at the light housing 71A.

The functional umbrella hub 21A further comprises a mounting unit 218Afor detachably mounting the functional hub 217A under the hub body 216A,wherein the mounting unit 218A comprises a retaining panel 2181Aintegrally formed at the bottom side of the hub body 216A, and at leasta fastening element 2182A detachably fastening the functional hub 217Aat the retaining panel 2181A to detachably mount the functional hub 217Ato the hub body 216A.

The light arrangement 70A may also comprise a ring-shaped light tube 73Amounted at the light housing 71A for illuminating an area under theawning arms 22A. Thus, the light tube is capable of providing uniformline of light source for the shading area.

Accordingly, the electro-control panel 40A is preferably provided at theawning frame 20A for minimizing a distance between the control panel 40Aand each of the electrical appliances, so as to simplify a wireconnecting arrangement for electrically connecting the electro-controlpanel 40A and the electrical appliances. More specifically, each of theventilation arrangement 30A, the audio system 50A, and the lightarrangement 70A of the electrical appliances is electrically connectedto the control panel 40A for being electrically and adjustablycontrolled therethrough via a connecting wire 401A of the wireconnecting arrangement.

As shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the awning frame 20A furthercomprises a central awning arm downwardly extended from the upperhousing 24A to the functional umbrella hub 21A for stably interrelatethe functional umbrella hub 21A, the awning arms 22, and the awningsupporting members 25, so as to firmly position the functional umbrellahub 21A to prevent the unwanted movement and to stably extend the awning23A at the unfolded position.

Accordingly, the electro-control panel 40A is supported by the awningframe 20A within the shading area for selectively controlling each ofthe electrical appliances. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, theelectro-control panel 40A is preferably built-in with the functionalumbrella hub 21A of the awning frame 20A to electrically link with theelectrical appliances for minimizing an electrical connection betweenthe electro-control panel 40A and the electrical appliances.

In particularly, the electro-control panel 40A is built-in with thefunctional hub 217A to electrically link with the electrical appliances.Therefore, the distances between the electro-control panel 40A and theelectrical appliances is minimized, so that the layout or the wireconnecting arrangement of the connecting wires 401 for electricallylinking the electrical appliances to the electro-control panel 40A issimplified. The electro-control panel 40A provided underneath the awning23A, thus, is substantially being protected thereby.

It is worth to mention that there is no need for pre-wiring theconnecting wires 401A to electrically link the electro-control panel 40Ato electrical appliances through the supporting frame 10A, so as tominimize the manufacturing cost. As a result, the electro-control panel40A is physically protected by the awning 23A, so as to maintain themaximum lift span and optimal aesthetic appearance of the presentinvention.

In order to adjustably control an operation of the ventilationarrangement 30A, the audio system 50A, the light arrangement 70A, or anyother electrical appliances of the outdoor umbrella, the electro-controlpanel 40A is also adapted for adjustably and electrically controllingthe electrical appliances. Accordingly, the electro-control panel 40Acomprises a control device 49A comprising one or more control switches41A electrically connected to each of the electrical appliances, so asto control each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner. Asembodied in the preferred embodiment, three of the switches 41A areprovided to electrically link to the ventilation arrangement 30A, theaudio system 50A, and the light arrangement 70A.

Accordingly, the control panel 40A further comprises a control circuitry47A operatively connecting to the control device 49A and each of theelectrical appliances to selectively operate the ventilation arrangement30A, the audio system 50A, and the light arrangement 70A. The controldevice 49A further comprises a display screen 48A electrically connectedto the control circuitry 47A for displaying an operation status thereof.As a result, the user is able to conveniently monitor the operation ofthe electrical appliance in a single display device, i.e. the displayscreen 48A.

More specifically, the control circuitry 47A further comprises an inputterminal 471A adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, anda plurality of control terminals 472A for selectively connecting to theelectrical appliances respectively.

The control switches 41A of the control device 49A may further has aplurality of adjusting functions for adjustably controlling variety ofperformance modules of the electrical appliances, such as the rotationalspeed of the rotor 32A to control the airflow under the shielding area;the volume of the audio system 50A; and a light intensity of the lightarrangement 70A.

The control device 49A may further comprises a wireless link circuitry491A integrally formed within the control panel 40A and a remote control492A pairing with the wireless link circuitry 491A of the control device49A, such that the remote control 492A enables a user to wirelesslycontrol the electrical appliances via the remote control 492A.

The control panel 40A further comprises a temperature sensor 42Asupported by the supporting frame 10A for detecting an ambienttemperature and a sensor circuit 43A which is electrically communicatingwith the temperature sensor 42A and is arranged in such a manner thatwhen the ambient temperature is higher than a user-preset temperature,the sensor circuit 43A automatically activates the ventilation powerunit 31A to drive the driving rotor 32A to rotate to create the airflowin the shading area. In other words, the ventilation arrangement 30A caneither be activated manually through the control panel 40A, or byambient temperature rising above a predetermined threshold. In thelatter case, the ventilation arrangement 30A is activated automaticallyby the sensor circuit 43A.

Furthermore, the control panel 40A further comprises a circuittransformer 44A electrically connecting with the ventilation arrangement30A for transforming an AC power from an external power source to a DCpower for the ventilation power unit 31A. Thus, the ventilationarrangement 30A is adapted for being powered up by an external powersource for prolonged use of the ventilation system. Alternatively, theventilation arrangement 30A can also be powered by rechargeablebatteries for shorter usage duration.

As a further alternative, the outdoor umbrella can further comprise asolar energy power system 100A which comprises a solar energy collectionboard 110A and a solar energy conversion circuit 120A mounted on thesupporting frame 10A. The solar energy collection board 110A is adaptedto collect solar energy from sunlight, wherein the sunlight will betransformed to electric energy by the solar energy conversion circuit120A for providing adequate power to operate the electrical appliancesinstalled on the outdoor umbrella. The transformed energy is to bestored by a rechargeable battery 130A electrically connected with thesolar energy conversion circuit 120A.

As mentioned above, the audio signal input module 511A may integrallyprovided at the control panel 40A, wherein an auxiliary input 45A ispreferably further provided at the control panel 40A as the audio signalinput module 511A, so as to communicatively connect to a portable musicplayer to receive the audio signal therefrom. Therefore, the audiosignal from the portable music player or the like is able to transmitthe audio signal thereof from the auxiliary input 45A of the audiosignal input module 511A to the audio signal output module 512A, so asto generate the sound effect from the speaker unit 51A in responsive tothe audio signal.

It is worth to mention that the audio system 50A of the presentinvention is adapted to play music originated from a wide variety ofconventional portable music players, such as CD players, DVD players,MP3 and the like for providing the maximum number of audio options forthe user of the present invention.

In order to further enhance the source by which audio sound signal canbe acquired, the control panel 40A further comprises a radiobroadcasting circuit 46A as the audio signal input module 511A forreceiving radio wave as the audio signal, such that the control panel40A transmits the audio signal to the speaker unit 51A for radiobroadcasting. As such, the audio system 50A is also capable ofprocessing radio signal for delivering radio sound signal as the audiosignal as mentioned above.

Alternatively, the audio system 50A further comprises a wirelesstransmission link 54A for wirelessly transmitting the audio signal fromthe control panel 40A to the speaker unit 51A, wherein the wirelesstransmission link 54A comprises a wireless transmitter 541A integratedwith the control panel 40A and a wireless receiver 542A which isintegrated with the speaker unit 51A and is wirelessly communicatingwith the wireless transmitter 541A to wirelessly transmit the audiosignal from the control panel 40A to the speaker unit 51A. In thissituation, the connecting wire 401A electrically linking the controlpanel 40A and the audio system 50A of the electrical appliance may notbe necessary or is relatively short, yet it can still be used inconjunction with the wireless transmission link 54A to cater fordifferent needs.

Moreover, the electro-control panel 40A further comprises a panelhousing 402A built-in with the functional umbrella hub 21A that thepanel housing 402A is provided at a peripheral wall of the functionalumbrella hub 21A to protectively receive the control circuitry 47A inthe panel housing 402A. Thus, the user is able to control the electricalappliances by simply operating the control panel 40A at the panelhousing 402A.

The electro-control panel 40A further comprises an electric socket 403Awhich is provided on the awning frame 20A and is electrically connectedto the input terminal 471A for electrically connecting to a powersource, such as an AC power source. It is appreciated that the electricsocket 403A may be individually provided at the supporting frameadjacent to a bottom portion of the supporting frame 10A andelectrically connected to the input terminal 471A of the control panelfor supplying the power source, so as to conveniently connect to anexternal power source.

Accordingly, the circuit transformer 44A electrically connects theelectric socket 403A with the input terminal 471A of the controlcircuitry 47A for transforming an AC power from the external AC powersource to a DC power so as to supply a predetermined amount ofelectricity to the electric appliances.

It is worth mentioning that the outdoor umbrella may form differentembodiments with different combinations of electrical appliances.Referring to FIG. 15A of the drawings, the outdoor umbrella comprisesthe audio system 50A, the light arrangement 70A, but not the ventilationarrangement, wherein the audio system 50A and the light arrangement 70Aare supported by the functional hub 217A of functional umbrella hub 21A.In addition, the functional hub 217A is downwardly and integrallyextended from the hub body 216A, wherein the electro-control panel 40Ais supported at the function hub 217A to control the audio system 50Aand the light arrangement 70A. Referring to FIG. 15B of the drawings,only the light arrangement 70A has been installed, wherein thefunctional hub 217A is integrally formed with the hub body 216A. Theelectro-control panel 40A is supported at the function hub 217A tocontrol the light arrangement 70A. FIG. 15C of the drawings, one mayappreciate that the illumination elements 72A are embodied as thering-shape light tube 73A, wherein the functional hub 217A is integrallyformed with the hub body 216A. The electro-control panel 40A issupported at the function hub 217A to control the ring-shape light tube73A.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An outdoor umbrella, comprising: an umbrellaframe comprising a supporting frame and an awing frame, wherein saidawning frame comprises a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supportedby said supporting frame, a plurality of awning frames radially andoutwardly extended from said functional umbrella hub, and an awningsupported by said awning arms to define a shading area under saidawning, wherein said functional umbrella hub comprises a hub body and afunctional hub coupled with said hub body; one of more electricalappliances being supported by said functional umbrella hub; and anelectro-control panel which is supported by said awning frame withinsaid shading area for selectively controlling each of said electricalappliances and coupled with said hub body.
 2. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said electro-control panel is built-in withsaid functional hub of said functional umbrella hub of said awning frameto electrically link with said electrical appliances for minimizing anelectrical connection between said electro-control panel and saidelectrical appliances.
 3. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 2,further comprising a battery electrically linked to said electricalappliances via a connecting wire, wherein said hub body is pivotallycoupled with said awning arms and said functional hub is downwardlyextended from said hub body to house at least one of said electricalappliances in said functional hub, and said connecting wire is extendedfrom said battery to electrically link to said electro-control panel. 4.The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 3, wherein saidelectro-control panel is built-in with said functional hub toelectrically link with said electrical appliances.
 5. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 4, wherein said functional hub isdetachably coupled with said hub body.
 6. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said electro-control panel comprises acontrol circuitry having an input terminal adapted for electricallyconnecting to a power and a plurality of control terminals selectivelyconnecting to said electrical appliances respectively, and a controldevice electrically connecting to said control circuitry to selectivelycontrol said electrical appliances.
 7. The outdoor umbrella, as recitedin claim 2, wherein said electro-control panel comprises a controlcircuitry having an input terminal adapted for electrically connectingto a power and a plurality of control terminals selectively connectingto said electrical appliances respectively, and a control deviceelectrically connecting to said control circuitry to selectively controlsaid electrical appliances.
 8. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim3, wherein said electro-control panel comprises a control circuitryhaving an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a powerand a plurality of control terminals selectively connecting to saidelectrical appliances respectively, and a control device electricallyconnecting to said control circuitry to selectively control saidelectrical appliances.
 9. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 4,wherein said electro-control panel comprises a control circuitry havingan input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power and aplurality of control terminals selectively connecting to said electricalappliances respectively, and a control device electrically connecting tosaid control circuitry to selectively control said electricalappliances.
 10. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 5, whereinsaid electro-control panel comprises a control circuitry having an inputterminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power and a pluralityof control terminals selectively connecting to said electricalappliances respectively, and a control device electrically connecting tosaid control circuitry to selectively control said electricalappliances.
 11. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 6, whereinsaid electro-control panel further comprises a panel housing built-inwith said functional umbrella hub that said panel housing is provided ata peripheral wall of said functional umbrella hub to protectivelyreceive said control circuitry in said panel housing.
 12. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 7, wherein said electro-control panelfurther comprises a panel housing built-in with said functional umbrellahub that said panel housing is provided at a peripheral wall of saidfunctional umbrella hub to protectively receive said control circuitryin said panel housing.
 13. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 8,wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a panel housingbuilt-in with said functional umbrella hub that said panel housing isprovided at a peripheral wall of said functional umbrella hub toprotectively receive said control circuitry in said panel housing. 14.The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 9, wherein saidelectro-control panel further comprises a panel housing built-in withsaid functional umbrella hub that said panel housing is provided at aperipheral wall of said functional umbrella hub to protectively receivesaid control circuitry in said panel housing.
 15. The outdoor umbrella,as recited in claim 10, wherein said electro-control panel furthercomprises a panel housing built-in with said functional umbrella hubthat said panel housing is provided at a peripheral wall of saidfunctional umbrella hub to protectively receive said control circuitryin said panel housing.
 16. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 11,wherein said electro-control panel further comprises a plurality ofcontrol switches which are provided on said panel housing and areelectrically connected to said control terminals to selectively controlsaid corresponding electrical appliances.
 17. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 12, wherein said electro-control panel furthercomprises a plurality of control switches which are provided on saidpanel housing and are electrically connected to said control terminalsto selectively control said corresponding electrical appliances.
 18. Theoutdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 13, wherein said electro-controlpanel further comprises a plurality of control switches which areprovided on said panel housing and are electrically connected to saidcontrol terminals to selectively control said corresponding electricalappliances.
 19. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 14, whereinsaid electro-control panel further comprises a plurality of controlswitches which are provided on said panel housing and are electricallyconnected to said control terminals to selectively control saidcorresponding electrical appliances.
 20. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 15, wherein said electro-control panel furthercomprises a plurality of control switches which are provided on saidpanel housing and are electrically connected to said control terminalsto selectively control said corresponding electrical appliances.